Media Relations

DURHAM, N.H. – The deadline for the first round of proposals for 2011 Green Launching Pad funding is Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011.

The Green Launching Pad funds opportunities for entrepreneurs with new green business ideas in the areas such as clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy conservation, and emission reduction. In the second round of funding, the Green Launching Pad is expected to provide up to five projects with up to $100,000 in funding and accelerated business development assistance.

The application process begins with the submission of the two-page pre-proposals due Jan. 18, 2011. Pre-proposals will be accepted from individuals as well as teams. It is not necessary to have all team members identified at this stage, however, applicants are encouraged to identify team members or expertise required. Pre-proposals will be evaluated by a panel of judges drawn from the Green Launching Pad Advisory Council and experts from the industry, government, academia, and nonprofit sector. Invitations to submit full proposal will be made by Feb. 8, 2011 Winning teams will be announced by April 4, 2011.

Founded in 2010, the Green Launching Pad is a strategic partnership of the University of New Hampshire and New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The organization connects entrepreneurs and private industry with technical, scientific and business faculty, students and state-level resources to successfully launch and accelerate the growth of new green businesses. Five New Hampshire companies received funding in the first year of the program. The Green Launching Pad is focused on creating new energy-related jobs in the Granite State and broadening economic opportunities.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.